Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight, has stressed the importance of keeping culture alive, and tweaking the way things are done to meet the needs of Barbados.
She gave the undertaking that the Division of Culture would continue to review its operations “to ensure that we are doing what we are called to do for the community”, while delivering an address during the prize-giving ceremony for the recently concluded Africa Day Hair and Dress Competitions, at the National Library Service Headquarters
Minister Munro-Knight stated: “We are trying to do what the Prime Minister calls deconstruct and reconstruct, and what this means is really taking a look at what it is that we are really doing and examining it to ensure that we are really being true to purpose, …being true to what we are called to be as a Division of Culture, …that serves the community, …serves Barbados.”
She continued: “Our mission talks about using culture to transform Barbados, and that means something for us, particularly in the context of the Season of Emancipation as well as in the context of how we are working with the National Library Service…, in terms of how we are working, even at things like Crop Over, because it has to mean something when we talk about using culture to transform lives. And these competitions that we’re having, are really a demonstration of the essence of what that means.”
The Minister proffered that the competitions were not only an opportunity for people to “dress nice”, but also about showcasing Barbadian pride and satisfaction with our connection to African history and culture.
Senator Munro-Knight stressed that attention must be paid to the transfer of cultural knowledge and practices to the younger generation, so as to carry on the legacy passed on from generations.
During the ceremony, prizes were presented to winners in the Best Dress Male and Female, Best Hair and Best Designer categories.